News - Details

District 214 Computer Science Commitment Highlighted By White House

High School District 214's commitment to teaching all 12,000 of its students computer science was recognized Saturday by the White House.

This marks the third time in 18 months the White House has highlighted the innovative work of District 214's staff.

With support from the Bosch Community Fund, District 214 educators this school year began crafting a new curriculum, along with associated professional development, that integrates coding into mathematics lessons so students learn the logic and language of computer science.

District 214 will also support 1,000 students in an integrated four-year Information Technology (IT) Pathway program which offers specialized technical computer science training throughout high school leading directly to employment in the field with IT industry certifications.

The District's six schools were among only seven in the nation to pilot a unique iOS app development curriculum with Mobile Makers Academy last year. Interest in the course has in large part helped drive enrollment in computer science classes, with enrollment climbing from just over 200 students three years ago to more than 800 this school year.

In December 2014, the District was recognized at the White House College Opportunity Summit for its innovative partnership with Harper College to get more students college and career ready. Less than a year later, in November 2015, the White House highlighted the District's nationally-unique internship program as part of its inaugural Summit on Next-Generation High Schools.